Multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device

ABSTRACT

A multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device comprising at least one source of electromagnetic radiation which emits radiation according to predefined or programmable user selectable instruction sets is disclosed. Reversal of the polarity of the device&#39;s power supply allows for enhanced features to be accessed including multiple instruction sets per switch setting, reprogramming mode, infra-red (covert) mode, night mode and water activation mode. A switch mechanism for providing selectable switched circuit connections is also disclosed as well as a power supply for supplying DC power to an electronic circuit comprising at least one microcontroller or microprocessor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device. More specifically, the present invention relates to adevice which emits electromagnetic radiation in the visible or infra-redrange according to instructions sets with an enhanced functionalitybased on reversal of the polarity of the DC power source. The presentinvention also relates to a switch mechanism for a multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device and a power supply forsupplying DC power and control information to a microcontroller ormicroprocessor based on reversal of the polarity of the DC power source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art reveals a plethora of small light emitting devices to beworn by a user not only for the purposes of illumination but also fornotification, alerting and identification. Recent improvements inhigh-intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) have allowed arrays of smallhigh-intensity lights of differing colours or wavelengths to be combinedin a single signalling device. By equipping these prior art devices witha suitable microprocessor or microcontroller, a series of signallingprograms and a multi-position switch for program selection, the array ofLEDs can be turned on and off and their intensity varied according tothe selected program.

There also exist in the art portable signalling devices comprising anarray of user selectable LEDs, with at least one diode emitting light inthe visible light range and at least one emitting light in the infra-redrange. As is known in the art, devices operating in the infra-red rangeare not visible to the naked eye, but are typically visible for manymiles to an observer equipped with, for example, a night vision systemincluding a suitable infra-red image intensifier. In these prior artdevices, the user typically selects the light to be emitted via a switchmechanism, with one favoured prior art switch being the bezel mountedmulti-position rotary dial for rotation in a clockwise orcounter-clockwise direction.

One drawback of these prior art signalling devices is that the number ofprograms which can be selected is typically limited by the number ofpositions available on the multi-position switch. Another drawback isthat such prior art devices do not present a means to reprogram thesignalling programs if this is so desired. Still, another drawback withsuch prior art devices is that it is fairly simple for the user to errin his selection of the visible light and infra-red light. In a nighttime situation, the selection of visible light when infra-red light isintended can have a number of dire consequences, including temporarilyaffecting the user's night vision or exposure of the user's positionwhich, in a battle situation, can lead to serious injury or even death.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above and other drawbacks byproviding for a multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device.The device comprises an emission module comprising at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source, a first terminal, a secondterminal and a polarity responsive controller interposed between theelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources and the first and secondterminals, a DC power source having a positive terminal and a negativeterminal, and a polarity switch selectively defining eitherinterconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and (b)the second and negative terminals, or interconnections between (a) thefirst and negative terminals and (b) the second and positive terminals.The polarity responsive controller comprises a first bank ofinstructions and a second bank of instructions, each of the first andsecond banks having at least two predetermined sets of signallinginstructions, a switch for selecting a first set of instructions fromthe sets of instructions in the first bank and a second set ofinstructions from the second bank, and first and second power supplycircuits. The first power supply circuit is activated by theinterconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and (b)the second and negative terminals, and supplying, when activated, powerfrom the DC power source to the electromagnetic radiation emittingsources according to the first set of instructions, thereby causing thesources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to the first set ofinstructions. The second power supply circuit is activated by theinterconnections between (a) the first and negative terminals and (b)the second and positive terminals, and supplies, when activated, powerfrom the DC power source to the electromagnetic radiation emittingsources according to the second set of instructions, thereby causing thesources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to the second set ofinstructions.

Additionally, there is provided for a reprogrammable multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device. The device comprises anemission module comprising at least one electromagnetic radiationemitting source, a first terminal, a second terminal and a polarityresponsive controller interposed between the electromagnetic radiationemitting sources and the first and second terminals, a DC power sourcehaving a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and a polarityswitch selectively defining either interconnections between (a) thefirst and positive terminals and (b) the second and negative terminals,or interconnections between (a) the first and negative terminals and (b)the second and positive terminals. The polarity responsive controllercomprises a set of signalling instructions, a power supply circuit and areprogramming circuit. The power supply circuit is activated by theinterconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and (b)the second and negative terminals, and supplies, when activated, powerfrom the DC power source to the electromagnetic radiation emittingsources according to the set of signalling instructions, thereby causingthe sources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to the set ofinstructions. The reprogramming circuit is activated by theinterconnections between (a) the first and negative terminals and (b)the second and positive terminals, and, when activated, allows thecontroller to modify the set of signalling instructions.

Also, there is provided for a reprogrammable electromagnetic radiationemitting device. The device comprises an emission module comprising atleast one electromagnetic radiation emitting source, a first terminal, asecond terminal and a polarity responsive controller interposed betweenthe electromagnetic radiation emitting sources and the first and secondterminals, a DC power source having a positive terminal and a negativeterminal, and a polarity switch selectively defining eitherinterconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and (b)the second and negative terminals, or interconnections between (a) thefirst and negative terminals and (b) the second and positive terminals.The polarity responsive controller comprises an instruction bank havinga plurality of sets of signalling instructions, a switch for selecting aset of instructions from the sets of instructions, a power supplycircuit and a reprogramming circuit. The power supply circuit isactivated by the interconnections between (a) the first and positiveterminals and (b) the second and negative terminals, and supplies, whenactivated, power from the DC power source to the electromagneticradiation emitting sources according to the selected set ofinstructions, thereby causing the sources to emit electromagneticradiation according to the set of instructions. The reprogrammingcircuit is activated by the interconnections between (a) the first andnegative terminals and (b) the second and positive terminals, and, whenactivated, allows the controller to modify the selected set ofinstructions.

Furthermore, there is provided for a reprogrammable multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device. The device comprises anemission module comprising at least one electromagnetic radiationemitting source, a first terminal, a second terminal and a polarityresponsive controller interposed between the electromagnetic radiationemitting sources and the first and second terminals, a DC power sourcehaving a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and a polarityswitch selectively defining either interconnections between (a) thefirst and positive terminals and (b) the second and negative terminals,or interconnections between (a) the first and negative terminals and (b)the second and positive terminals. The polarity responsive controllercomprises a plurality of default instruction banks, each of the defaultbanks comprising at least one set of signalling instructions, an activeinstruction bank having at least two sets of signalling instructions, aswitch for selecting one of the sets of instructions of the activeinstruction bank and for selecting one of the default banks, a powersupply circuit and a reprogramming circuit. The power supply circuit isactivated by the interconnections between (a) the first and positiveterminals and (b) the second and negative terminals, and supplies, whenactivated, power from the bc power source to the electromagneticradiation emitting sources according to the selected set ofinstructions. The reprogramming circuit is activated by theinterconnections between (a) the first and negative terminals and (b)the second and positive terminals, and, when activated, the controllerreplaces the active instruction bank with the selected default bank.

Additionally, there is provided for a night activated electromagneticradiation emitting device. The device comprises an emission modulecomprising at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting source, afirst terminal, a second terminal and a polarity responsive controllerinterposed between the electromagnetic radiation emitting sources andthe first and second terminals, a DC power source having a positiveterminal and a negative terminal, a polarity switch selectively definingeither interconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and(b) the second and negative terminals, or interconnections between (a)the first and negative terminals and (b) the second and positiveterminals, and a light sensor. The polarity responsive controllercomprises a set of signalling instructions and first and second powersupply circuits. The first power supply circuit is activated by theinterconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and (b)the second and negative terminals, and supplies, when activated, powerfrom the DC power source to the electromagnetic radiation emittingsources according to the set of signalling instructions, thereby causingthe sources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to the set ofinstructions. The second power supply circuit is activated by lightincident on the light sensor being below a predetermined threshold andthe interconnections between (a) the first and negative terminals and(b) the second and positive terminals, and supplies, when activated,power from the DC power source to the electromagnetic radiation emittingsources according to the set of signalling instructions, thereby causingthe sources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to the set ofinstructions.

Also, there is provided for a water activated multi-mode electromagneticradiation emitting device. The device comprises an emission modulecomprising at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting source, afirst terminal, a second terminal and a polarity responsive controllerinterposed between the electromagnetic radiation emitting sources andthe first and second terminals, a DC power source having a positiveterminal and a negative terminal, a polarity switch selectively definingeither interconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and(b) the second and negative terminals, or interconnections between (a)the first and negative terminals and (b) the second and positiveterminal, and a water sensor. The polarity responsive controllercomprises a set of signalling instructions and first and second powersupply circuits. The first power supply circuit is activated by theinterconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and (b)the second and negative terminals, and supplies, when activated, powerfrom the DC power source to the electromagnetic radiation emittingsources according to the set of signalling instructions, thereby causingthe sources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to the set ofinstructions. The second power supply circuit is activated when thewater sensor is immersed in water and the interconnections between (a)said first and negative terminals and (b) said second and positiveterminals, and supplies, when activated, power from said DC power sourceto said electromagnetic radiation emitting sources according to said setof signalling instructions, thereby causing said sources to emitelectromagnetic radiation according to said set of instructions.

There is also provided a switch mechanism for providing selectableswitched circuit connections. The switch mechanism comprises a firstpart and a second part arranged for relative displacement, a pluralityof spaced contact pads mounted on the first part, and at least onecontact element mounted on the second part such that the element movesrelative to the contact pads in response to movement of the second partrelative to the first part, the contact element selectively bridgingcertain of the contact pads.

There is further provided a switch mechanism for providing selectableswitched circuit connections. The switch mechanism comprises a firstpart and a second part arranged for relative displacement, a pluralityof spaced magnetically actuated switches mounted on the first part, anda magnet mounted on the second part such that the magnet moves relativeto the switches in response to movement of the second part relative tothe first part, the magnet selectively actuates certain of the switches.

There is further provided a multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device tolerant to external magnetic fields. The devicecomprises a source of power, an emission module comprising at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source and a switch mechanism forproviding selectable switched circuit connections. The switch mechanismcomprises a first part and a second part arranged for relativedisplacement, a ratchet mechanism for limiting the displacement of thefirst part relative to the second part to predetermined positions, atleast one of the predetermined positions being a deactivated positionwith the remainder being activated positions, a plurality of spacedmagnetically actuated switches mounted on the first part, and a magnetmounted on the second part such that the magnet moves relative to theswitches in response to movement of the second part relative to thefirst part. The magnet selectively actuates certain of the switches.When the first part is in one of the deactivated positions, and one ormore of the magnetically actuated switches are actuated by the externalmagnetic field, power from the power source is not provided to the atleast one electromagnetic radiation emitting source, thereby preventingthe at least one radiation emitting source from emitting radiation.

Also, there is provided a power supply for supplying DC power to anelectronic circuit comprising at least one microcontroller ormicroprocessor. The supply comprises a DC power source comprising apositive terminal and a negative terminal, a power conversion circuitcomprising first and second terminals and a power output for supplyingpower to the electronic circuit, and a polarity switch selectivelydefining either interconnections between (a) the first and positiveterminals and (b) the second and negative terminals, or interconnectionsbetween (a) the first and negative terminals and (b) the second andpositive terminals. When the power conversion circuit is activated bythe interconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and(b) the second and negative terminals, a positive power from the DCpower source is supplied to the electronic circuit together with anindication to the microcontroller of the positive polarity of thevoltage between the first and second terminals. When the powerconversion circuit is activated by the interconnections between (a) thefirst and negative terminals and (b) the second and positive terminals,a positive power from the DC power source is supplied to the electroniccircuit together with an indication to the microcontroller of thenegative polarity of the voltage between the first and second terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is side perspective view of a multi-mode electromagneticradiation emitting device in accordance with an illustrative embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 2 a through 2 f provide front plan views of a number ofalternative embodiments of LED configurations in accordance with anillustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded rear perspective view of a multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 a is a front plan view of the electronics of a multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a rear plan view of the electronics of a multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 a is a block diagram of the power converter circuit for themulti-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device in accordance withan illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 b is a block diagram of a power converter circuit for themulti-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device in accordance withan alternative illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the controller circuit for the multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded front perspective view of the multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 a is a rear plan view of a first embodiment of the switchingelectronics for the multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting devicein accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 b is a rear plan view of a second alternative embodiment of theswitching electronics for the multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 c is a rear plan view of a third alternative embodiment of theswitching electronics for the multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 d is a block diagram of a third alternative embodiment of theswitching electronics for the multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 e is a rear plan view of a forth alternative embodiment of theswitching electronics for the multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 a is a top plan view of a mechanical rotary switch mechanism inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment an illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 9 b is a cut away view along 9 b in FIG. 9 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emittingdevice in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. The device, generally referred to using thereference numeral 2, is comprised of a rugged housing 4 fabricated froma durable water resistant material, such as plastic. A series of LEDs asin 6 are mounted on the front face 8 of the housing 4 and protected by adome shaped lens cap 10 fabricated from a transparent or translucentmaterial such as clear or opaque plastic, or clear plastic with adiffusing pattern etched in a surface thereof. The lens cap 10 ispreferably bonded to the front face 8 of the housing 4 with a suitableadhesive or weld in order to prevent moisture entering behind the lenscap and coming into contact with the LEDs 6 or condensing on the insideof the lens cap 10. The housing 4 also includes a compartment 12 whichhouses a battery (not shown) for supplying power to the electronics (notshown) which power the LEDs 6 when the device is activated. The device 2also includes a multi-position bezel-like rotary switch 14 mountedaround the lens cap 10. In a particular embodiment, the lens cap 10 isrigidly fastened to the housing 4 and also acts as a hub around whichthe rotary switch 14 can rotate. By rotating the switch 14 in aclockwise or counter-clockwise direction, one of a number ofinstructions sets can be selected for powering the LEDs 6.

In a given embodiment one or more LEDs 6 may be provided for. The LEDs 6are typically arranged in banks of two or more LEDs which are drivensimultaneously, although in other embodiments the LEDs 6 may be drivenindividually. It is therefore within the scope of the present inventionto drive the LEDs 6 individually or grouped in to banks of more than oneLED. Note also that, although the present illustrative embodiment makesreferences to LEDs, the scope of the present invention could also beextended to comprise the use of other sources of electromagneticradiation such as lasers, xenon strobes, incandescent lights, thermalemitters (in particular those operating in the 3-5 micron range MediumWavelength Infrared—MWIR, or the 8-12 micron range LWIR—Long WavelengthInfrared) and combinations thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2(a)-(f), six (6) LED configurations areillustrated. In FIG. 2(a) a single LED 6 ₁ which emits white light isdisclosed. In FIG. 2(b), a configuration of three (3) LEDs, one whichemits white light 6 ₁ and two which emit for example blue light 6 ₂ isdisclosed. In FIG. 2(c), a second configuration of 3 LEDs is disclosedwhere one of the LEDs emits white light 6 ₁ and the remaining two LEDsemit red light 6 ₃. In FIG. 2(d), a configuration comprised of 5 LEDs, afirst LED emitting white light 6 ₁, a pair of LED emitting red light 6 ₃and a second pair of LEDs emmitting infra-red 6 ₄ is disclosed. In FIG.2(e), an alternative configuration comprised of 5 LEDs, a first. LEDemitting white light 6 ₁, a pair of LED emitting red light 6 ₃ and asecond pair of LEDs emitting blue light 6 ₂ is disclosed. Finally, inFIG. 2(f) a configuration of 9 LEDS is disclosed, three LEDs emittingwhite light 6 ₁, and a pair each of LEDs emitting blue light 6 ₂, redlight 6 ₃ and infra-red 6 ₄ is disclosed.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the aboveconfigurations are provided by way of example only and are not to beconsidered limiting. For example, LEDs which emit a given colour oflight could be exchanged for LEDs which emit a different colour oflight, including white, blue, green, red or orange/amber. Also known inthe art are RGB LED devices comprised of 3 LEDs encased in a singlepackage which can emit light of a variety of colours. Additionally, fora given application LEDs emitting light in the visible spectrum could beexchanged for those emitting radiation in non-visible bands of thespectrum including infra-red and ultra-violet, theermal emitters andother emitting devices as described hereinabove.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a clip 16 manufactured from spring steel or thelike is advantageously provided for attaching the device 2 to a belt,shirt pocket, hat brim or similar. Illustratively, the clip 16 isremovably attached to the device by encircling the compartment 12 with asuitably formed end piece 18 having a slot 20 machined therein. The slot20 mates with a raised stud 22 formed in the outer surface of thecompartment 12 which prevents the clip 16 from being easily removed fromdevice 2. Keyhole slots as in 24 are also machined in the clip 16, intowhich the heads of a suitably equipped support device (not shown) can beinserted for fastening. Additionally, a pair of holes 26 are boredthrough the housing 4 allowing, after the removal of the clip 16, forthe attachment of adapters (such as a bracket holding a powerful magnet,not shown, for attaching the device 2 to ferrous metal or the like) orfor fastening the device 2 to a surface by the means of nails, screws,wire, etc. (all not shown).

Still referring to FIG. 3, access to the compartment 12 which houses thebattery is provided via a cap 28 which is fastened to the end of thecompartment 12 by means of plug 30 manufactured from a conductivematerial such as brass and having a thread 32 which mates with asuitably threaded inner surface of the open end 34 of the compartment12. In the outer end 36 of the cap 28, a slot 38 is fashioned allowingfor a small coin or screw driver (both not shown) to be inserted thereinto provide ease in opening and closing. In tightening, a rubber O-ring40 is compressed between the open end 34 of the compartment 12 and cap28 providing hermetic seal therebetween thus preventing the egress ofmoisture and the like into'the compartment 12.

Inside surface 42 of the cap 28 is manufactured from a conductivematerial such as brass and includes a conductive biasing spring 44 whichretains a battery 46 securely in the compartment 12 by biasing thecathode (positive end) 48 or anode (negative end) 50 of the battery 40,depending on orientation, against the far conductive wall (not shown) ofthe compartment 12. Note that, although the compartment 12 of thepresent embodiment has been designed for accepting a 3 volt lithiumbattery such as the one with the designation CR17345 (CR123 Å), it iswell within the scope of the present invention for other types ofbatteries or DC power sources to be used, including battery packscomprised of more than one cell and external transformers, with theappropriate modifications to the device 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, an illustrative embodiment of theelectronics 100 which operate the device 2 will be disclosed. Duringfabrication, the electronics 100 are encapsulated within the housing 4which provides a protective casing for the electronics 100, preventingthe egress of moisture and the like. The electronics are comprised of aPC Board (PCB) 102 onto which have been etched a number of conductivetraces as in 104. It will be understood that traces as in 104 can beetched on both sides of the PCB 102. Additionally, in order to increaseconnectivity and the density of components on the PCB's surfaces amulti-layer PCB design could also be used.

The LEDs 6 are mounted on the front surface 106 of the PCB 102,typically by inserting the anode 108 and cathode 110 of each LED 6through a pair of perforations as 112 machined in the PCB 102. Aconductive pad as in 114 surrounding each perforation is mounted on theback surface 116 of the PCB 102. The LEDs 6 are held in place byapplying a small bead of solder to the anode 108 and cathode 110 whichprovides a conductive path between the anode 108 and cathode 110 and theconductive pads 114 surrounding the perforations. Each conductive pad114 is in turn in electrical contact with one or more traces 104.

Attached to the back surface 116 are one or more integrated circuits(ICs) such as a microprocessor 118. Read Only Memory (ROM) 120,Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) 122 and LEDdrivers 124. In a particular embodiment, and as will be discussed below,an external interface (not shown) is also provided for Other electroniccomponents may also be included as required such as individualtransistors, oscillators, resistors, capacitors and the like.Additionally, an array of reed switches 126 ₁, 126 ₂, and 126 ₃ areprovided which indicate to the microprocessor 118 the position of therotary switch (not shown). A variety of methods can be used to attachthe ICs and other components to the PCB, for example surface mountingand flip-chip bonding techniques. It should be understood that, althoughthe present invention is described using reference to EEPROMs, the useof other types of programmable memory, such as Random Access Memory(RAM), Programmable Logic Arrays (PLAs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), etc. is within the scope of the present invention.

As stated above, power for the electronics is provided by a battery 46.Contact between the cathode 48 and anode 50 of the battery 46 and thePCB 102 is provided by a pair of receptacles 128 and 130, manufacturedfrom a conductive material such as brass, which are mounted on the PCB102 by attaching them to one of two large contact pads 132, 134 withconductive solder. In order to improve contact with contact pads 132,134 the receptacles 128, 130 have a flat region 136, 138 machined in theouter surface thereof.

During operation, the battery 46 is inserted through the ring shapedreceptacle 128 and positioned in the cup shaped receptacle 130 with thecathode 48 (or anode 50 depending on orientation of the battery 46)butting against the inner surface 140 of the receptacle 130 therebybringing the anode 48 into electrical contact with the contact pad 134.Ring-shaped receptacle 128 has an inner surface machined with a thread142. In order to retain the battery 46 in place during operation andprovide conductivity between the anode 50 (or cathode 48 depending onorientation of the battery 46) and the ring-like receptacle 128, theconductive plug 30 of the cap 28 is screwed into the thread 142 of thering-like receptacle 128 such that the conductive biasing spring 44exerts pressure on the battery 46. As both the conductive plug 30 andthe ring-like receptacle 128 are manufactured from a conductivematerial, in this manner the anode 50 of the battery 46 is brought intoelectrical contact with the contact pad 132.

Referring now to FIG. 5 a, an illustrative embodiment of the powerconversion circuit 144 will be described. Power from the battery 46 isinput to the power conversion circuit 144, which comprises, for example,a diode bridge as known in the art and, if necessary; a DC/DC converteror other circuits for conditioning the output voltage and current if sorequired, such as a charge pump, voltage booster, staged voltagemultiplier circuit or the like. As known in the art, charge pumps,voltage boosters, staged voltage multiplier circuits and the like areable to generate output voltages which are higher than the inputvoltage, in its simplest form allowing the voltage to be doubled bydriving a circuit comprised of capacitors and diode using a square wave.Other circuits, which are typically in the form of single-chipintegrated packages, allow for accurate setting of the output voltage topredetermined values.

Regardless of the orientation of the battery 46, the output of the powerconversion circuit 144 is a positive voltage on the positive conductor146 and a ground 148. In the illustrative embodiment a polarityindicator 150 is set high if the battery 46 is oriented such that thecathode 48 is in contact with contact pad 134, and set low if cathode 48is in contact with contact pad 132, thereby providing an indication tothe electronics as to the orientation of the battery 46.

Referring now to FIG. 6 in addition to FIG. 5 a, an illustrativeembodiment of the control circuit which drives the LEDs 6 will bedescribed. The control circuit is comprised of the microprocessor (CPU)118, ROM 120, EEPROM 122, LED Drivers 124 and switches 126 as discussedabove. Additionally, an external interface 152 could also be provided.The microprocessor uses instruction sets stored in the ROM 120 or EEPROM122 to provide control signals to the LED Drivers 124 depending on theswitches 126 and, depending on the configuration, the polarity of thebattery 46 which is available via polarity indicator 150.

Typically, in order to emit what for the human eye appears to be asteady light the LED drivers 124, based on control signals received fromthe microprocessor 118, will drive the LEDs 6, either individually or inbanks of two or more LEDS, using a square pulse train having a frequencyof around 100 Hz. Depending on the instruction set selected, the LEDs 6,and therefore the light emitted by the LEDs 6, can be controlled in anumber of ways. For example, the square pulse train driving each of theLEDs 6, or a given bank of LEDs 6, can be selectively turned on and offaccording to a predefined pattern in order to fulfil a variety ofsignalling applications, for example causing one or more of the LEDs 6to flash according to a predefined pattern which corresponds to the wellknown three short pulse, three long pulse, three short pulse Morse codefor SOS, or turning one or more of the LEDs on while the remaining LEDsremain turned off. Additionally, as the intensity of a given LED is inlarge part related to the average current through the LED and thereforecan be adjusted by varying the duty cycle of the pulse, the intensity ofone or more of the LEDs 6 can be varied by adjusting the duty cycle ofthe individual pulse trains. A combination of the above is alsoforeseeable.

Referring to FIG. 1 in addition to FIGS. 5 a and 6, in a firstillustrative embodiment of the control circuit, reversing polarity ofthe battery 46 allows the microprocessor 118 to access a different bankof instruction sets, thereby increasing the number of instruction setswhich can be accessed using the rotary switch 14. In this embodiment,the instruction sets used by the microprocessor 118 are stored in twobanks of instruction sets located in the ROM 120, with one instructionset in each of the banks corresponding to each active position of therotary switch 14. The position of the rotary switch 14 is made availableto the microprocessor 118 by the switch matrix 126. Similarly, each ofthe instruction banks corresponds to one of the polarities of thebattery 46 and therefore, depending on the polarity of the battery 46,and thus the polarity indicator 150, one or the other of the instructionbanks is selected. It will now be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art that by reversing the battery 46, and therefore the polarityindicator 150, the other instruction bank can be selected.

Note that, although in the present illustrative embodiments reversal ofthe polarity of the, power source is achieved by manually reversing thebattery, other methods for reversing the polarity, such manuallyreconfiguring the interconnections between the, power source and theelectronics, double pole mechanical switches, electronic switches andthe like, are within the scope of the present invention.

In a second illustrative embodiment of the control circuit, reversingthe polarity of the battery 46 has the effect of placing the device 2 incovert mode. In covert mode, the microprocessor generates controlsignals which are used to drive one or more of the LEDs 6 such thatlight in the infrared range only is emitted, according to a storedinstruction set selected using the rotary switch 14. Reversing thebattery 46 back to its initial position leads to the microprocessor 118generating control signals (again, according to a stored instruction setselected using the rotary switch 14) such that one or more of the LEDs 6emits a visible light.

In a third illustrative embodiment of the control circuit, reversing thepolarity of the battery 46 has the effect of placing the device 2 in areprogramming mode.

In a first embodiment of the reprogramming mode, a series of instructionsets used by the microprocessor 118 for controlling the LEDs 6 arestored in the ROM 120. In this embodiment, it is foreseen that oneinstruction set is available for each active position of the rotaryswitch 14 per bank of instruction sets, with one bank corresponding toeach of the active positions of the rotary switch 14. By rotating therotary switch 14 to a given position and then reversing the polarity ofthe battery 46, the microprocessor 118 would write the instruction setsof the bank corresponding to that position of the rotary switch 14 intothe EEPROM 122. By once again reversing the battery 46 and rotating therotary switch 14 to an active position, the instruction set of theinstruction sets written into EEPROM 122 which corresponds to thecurrent position of the rotary switch 14 would be used by themicroprocessor 118 to generate control signals to the LED drivers 124.

In a second embodiment of the reprogramming mode, reversal of thepolarity of the battery 46 activates the external interface 152 andallows the microprocessor 118 to overwrite instruction sets stored inthe EEPROM 122 with new instruction sets received via the externalinterface 152. As known in the art, a variety of potential externalinterfaces could be used by the control circuit for receiving newinstruction sets are possible including a hardware interface such as aserial interface, an infra-red interface such as an IrDA compatibleinterface, a scanner such as a barcode reader, etc. By once againreversing the battery 46 and rotating the rotary switch 14 to an activeposition, the instruction set of the instruction sets written intoEEPROM 122 which corresponds to the current position of the rotaryswitch 14 is used by the microprocessor 118 to generate control signalsto the LED drivers 124.

In a forth illustrative embodiment of the control circuit, reversing thepolarity of the battery 46 has the effect of placing the device 2 innight activated mode. When night activated, a photosensitive device 154comprising, for example a photo diode provides an indication to themicroprocessor 118 as to when the level of ambient light drops below apredetermined threshold. As long as the level of light incident on thephoto diode is above the predetermined threshold, no control signals fordriving the LEDs 6 are generated by the microprocessor 118. When thelevel of light incident on the photo diode drops below the predeterminedthreshold the instruction set which corresponds to the current positionof the rotary switch 14 is used by the microprocessor 118 to generatecontrol signals to the LED drivers 124. By once again reversing thebattery 46 the device 2 can be activated in the usual manner and theinstruction set which corresponds to the current position of the rotaryswitch 14 is used by the microprocessor 118 to generate control signalsto the LED drivers 124.

In a fifth illustrative embodiment of the control circuit, reversing thepolarity of the battery 46 has the effect of placing the device 2 inwater activated mode. When water activated, a water sensitive device 156provides an indication to the microprocessor 118 when the watersensitive device 156 is immersed in fresh or salt water. As long as thewater sensitive device 156 is not immersed in water, no control signalsfor driving the LEDs 6 are generated by the microprocessor 118. When thewater sensitive device 156 is immersed in water the instruction setwhich corresponds to the current position of the rotary switch 14 isused by the microprocessor 118 to generate control signals to the LEDdrivers 124. By once again reversing the battery 46, the device 2 can beactivated in the usual manner, and the instruction set which correspondsto the current position of the rotary switch 14 is used by themicroprocessor 118 to generate control signals to the LED drivers 124.

Referring to FIG. 5 b, a second illustrative embodiment of the powerconversion circuit 144 combined with a sixth illustrative embodiment ofthe control circuit will now be described. In this embodiment, reversingthe polarity of the battery 46 has the effect of powering up a separatecontrol circuit. The core of the power conversion circuit 144 is a diodebridge comprised of a series of diodes as in 157 in an open bridgeconfiguration. With the battery 46 positioned with the cathode 48 incontact with the contact pad 134, a positive potential will be availablebetween the positive conductor 146 and ground 148 which may be used topower, for example, a microprocessor controlled circuit for driving theLEDs as disclosed and described in reference to FIG. 6. Of course, itmakes no sense to provide an indication of the polarity of the battery46 as a control input to the microprocessor as in this embodiment themicroprocessor will only be powered up when the cathode 48 of thebattery 46 is in contact with the contact pad 134. As a result, thepolarity indicator 150 can be done away with. At the same time, secondpositive conductor 160 is tied to ground 148 thereby deactivating anycircuit placed between the second positive conductor 160 and the ground148.

Still referring to FIG. 5 b, with the battery reversed such that thecathode 48 is in contact with the contact pad 132, a positive potentialis available between the second positive conductor 160 and ground 148which may be used to power second control circuit 162. At the same timepositive conductor 146 will be set to the ground 148 deactivating anycircuit placed between the positive conductor 146 and the ground 148.The second control circuit 162 can be used, for example, to drivedifferent electronics and/or light emitting devices, such as a highintensity xenon strobe 164.

Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, a first illustrative embodiment of arotary switch mechanism for use with the multi-mode electromagneticradiation emitting device 2 is disclosed. The rotary switch 14 iscomprised of a circular actuator 52 having an aperture 54 thereinthrough which the lens cap 10 is mounted such that the actuator 52 canrotate freely about the lens cap 10. In this manner, the lens cap 10serves not only to protect the LEDs 6 encased within but also serves toretain, through suitably designed mating surfaces, the actuator 52 inproximate relationship to the housing 4 and the electronics encasedwithin the housing 4.

The rotary switch 14 further comprises a ratchet mechanism formaintaining the actuator 52 in a given position. The ratchet mechanismis comprised of an annular ratchet ring 56 rigidly fixed the actuator 52and moving as one therewith. The ratchet ring 56 comprises a series offlexible raised tabs 58, distributed evenly around the ring 56, formedtherein. The ratchet ring 56 is typically manufactured from a resilientflexible material such as spring stainless steel. The tabs 58, whichmate with a corresponding series of spaced depressions, 60 machined onthe inside face 62 of the housing 4, are held in proximate relationshipto the inside face 62 of the housing 4 by the interaction between thelens cap 10, which is attached to the inside face 62, and the actuator52. When aligned, the flexible tabs 58 insert themselves into thedepressions 60 thereby providing resistance against rotation of theactuator 52. In this manner the actuator 52 can provide tactile feedbackto the user as to when the actuator is in a given predetermined switchposition.

Additionally, however, the tactile feedback could be replaced orsupplemented by an audio signal, for example a click, indicating thatthe actuator is in a given predetermined switch position. Of course, therequisite electronics would have to be implemented for generating theaudio signal, for example by means of a piezo-electric transducermounted on the PCB 102, with appropriate changes made to the traces onthe PCB 102 and the software which drives the microprocessor 118 inorder to generate an audio signal when a given switch position isreached.

In the present illustrative embodiment, one tab 58/depression 60 pair isprovided for each position of the rotary switch 14. It will now beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that by suitably designingthe tabs 58 and depressions 60, a rotary switch mechanism can beprovided which is either capable of rotation in both clockwise andcounter clockwise directions or limited to rotation in one of thesedirections.

Additionally, in a particular embodiment for actuating switches whichare sensitive to magnetic fields, a small magnet 64 is mounted in theactuator 54. In this embodiment a slot 66 is cut in the metallic ratchetring 56 in proximity to the magnet 64 in order to reduce any effects themetallic ratchet ring 56 may have on the strength of the magnetic field.

Referring now to FIG. 8 a, as discussed above, an array of normally open(non-conducting) reed switches as in 126 ₁, 126 ₂, and 126 ₃ is providedto indicate to the microprocessor 118 the position of the rotary switch14. As known in the art, reed switches consist of two sets of conductivecontacts hermetically sealed in a glass tube. Manufactured from aferrous material, for example a nickel iron wire which has beenflattened and plated with a highly conductive material such as gold, theconductive contacts deflect when in the presence of a magnetic field.Provided the deflection is adequate; the contacts are brought intocontact with one another thereby allowing electric current to flowtherebetween. In order to operate the reed switches, as discussed abovea small magnet 64 is mounted in the actuator 54. As the actuator 54 isrotated away from the deactivated position, which in this embodiment isnot associated with a reed switch, the magnet 64 is positioned oppositeone of the reed switches 126 ₁, 126 ₂, and 126 ₃ thereby completing anelectrical circuit via the reed switch in question which is provided asan input to the microprocessor 118. In the present illustrativeembodiment, completing the electrical circuit via one of the reedswitches has the effect of powering up the electronics while at the sametime providing an indication as to the position of the rotary switch 14.

It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art thatalthough a rotary switch mechanism with four (4) positions is shown,this could easily be extended to eight (8) positions or more with theprovision of additional reed switches and a suitably redesigned ratchetmechanism.

Referring now to FIG. 8 b, a second alternative embodiment of a rotaryswitch mechanism for use with the multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device 2 is disclosed. In this embodiment the rotation of therotary switch 14 is limited to the counter clockwise (or clockwise, ifso implemented) direction. An additional reed switch 1264 is alsoprovided. The rotary switch 14 in this embodiment has twice as manypositions as reed switches 126 (in the illustrated embodiment eight (8)positions, including an deactivated position. In the deactivatedposition as shown the magnet 64 is proximate to a normally closed reedswitch 126 ₄, the reed switch 126 ₄ thus held open by the presence ofthe magnet 64 thereby stopping electrical energy from circulatingthrough the electronics, which has the advantage that placing the device2 close to other magnetic sources will not cause false triggering of theelectronics via one or more of the remaining reed switches 126 ₁, 126 ₂,or 126 ₃.

As the actuator 54 is rotated, and the magnet 64 moved away from thedeactivated position, the forth reed switch 126 ₄ closes therebypowering up the electronics. As the actuator 54 is further rotated, themagnet 64 finds itself in the first intermediate position, marked by thereference A on FIG. 8 b. At this point the microprocessor 118 is awarethat the actuator 54 has been rotated, and that the magnet 64 has notpassed the forth reed switch 126 ₄, and as a result can determine thatthe magnet 64 is indicating position A, thereby allowing this to be usedas an input to any operations the microprocessor 118 carries out. As theactuator 54 is rotated farther the magnet 64 is brought into proximityof the normally open second reed switch 128 ₂ at position B, therebycausing it to close and completing an electrical circuit. Themicroprocessor 118 is now aware that the actuator 54 has been rotatedand that the magnet 64 is at position B, thereby allowing this to beused as an input to any operations the microprocessor 118 carries out.As the actuator 54 is rotated even farther the magnet 64 is placed atposition C, in between the first reed switch 126 ₁ and the second reedswitch 126 ₂. By retaining a memory that the first read switch 126 ₁ hasbeen passed, for example using memory available to the microprocessor orflip-flops attached the outputs of the reed switches 126 ₁, 126 ₂, or126 ₃, the location of the magnet 64 at position C can be determinedthereby allowing this to be used as an input to any operations themicroprocessor 118 carries out. Similar operations are performed atpositions D, E, F and G before the magnet 64 is returned to thedeactivated position an the supply of power to the electronicsterminated.

Referring now to FIG. 8 c, a third alternative embodiment of a rotaryswitch mechanism for use with the multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device 2 is disclosed. In this embodiment, the actuator 54 hasfour positions around the dial: one deactivated position; and threeactive positions indicated by A, B, and C. In this embodiment two reedswitch 126 ₁ and 126 ₂ are dedicated to position A, two reed switches126 ₃ and 126 ₄ are dedicated to position B and one reed switch 126 ₅ isdedicated to position C. Optionally, and in a given implementation, a6^(th) normally open reed switch 126 ₆ could also be included in thedeactivated position, the reed switch 126 ₆ being held open by thepresence of the magnet 64 thereby stopping electrical energy fromcirculating through the electronics.

Referring now to FIG. 8 d in addition to FIG. 8 c, when the actuator 54is positioned such that the magnet 64 is located in position A, reedswitches 126 ₁ and 126₂ are closed. At this point power available onpositive conductor 146 is fed to the microprocessor 118. At the sametime input A to the microprocessor 118 is set high via the switch Astatus conductor 158 as well as an indication of the polarity of thebattery via the polarity indicator 150. The microprocessor can then usethese inputs to take appropriate actions, for example to generatecontrol signals according to a predetermined set of instructions fortransfer to the LED drivers 124 for driving one or more of the LEDs 6.Moving the switch so that the magnet 64 moves away from position Acauses reed switches 126 ₁ and 126₂ to open thereby deactivating thedevice. At position B, reed switches 126 ₁ and 126 ₂ are closed and asimilar series of actions take place as for position switch A asdiscussed above. Similar actions are also carried out when the magnet 64is moved from position B to C or back to position A. In position C,however, as both input A and B are low, the microprocessor 118 positionC can be implemented using a single reed switch 126 ₅.

In an alternative embodiment, the reed switches could be replaced orcombined with other suitable mechanical switches or electronic devicessuch as Hall effect sensors. As known in the art, Hall effect sensorsare semiconductor devices which generate a variable voltage when in thepresence of a magnetic field. By positioning the Hall effect sensors onthe back surface 116 of the PCB 102 in positions similar to those of thereed switches, the presence of the magnet mounted in the rotary switchin proximity to the Hall effect sensor can be detected. Alternatively,Hall effect sensors could be placed at intermediate positions betweenthe reed switches. This information can then be provided to themicroprocessor 118.

Referring now to FIG. 8 e, a forth alternative embodiment of a rotaryswitch mechanism for use with the multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device 2 is disclosed. In this embodiment reed switches arereplaced by Hall effect sensors 166 ₁, 166 ₂, and 166 ₃ with, forexample, a normally closed reed switch 126 in the deactivated position.As the actuator 54 is rotated, and the magnet 64 moved away from thedeactivated position, the normally closed reed switch 126 closes,thereby powering up the electronics. As the magnet is moved into thefirst position, indicated by a B, the Hall effect sensor 166, senses thepresence of the magnet 64, which information is provided to themicroprocessor 118 to indicate the position of the rotary switch 14. Asimilar sequence of invents is carried out as the actuator 54 is furtherrotated to bring the magnet 64 into positions D and F.

Still referring to FIG. 8 e, intermediate positions A, C, E and G couldalso be sensed by replacing the Hall effect sensors 166 ₁, 166 ₂, and166 ₃ with dual polarity Hall effect sensors. Aligned with the directionof travel of the magnet 64, these Hall effect sensors can sense thedirection in which the magnet 64 is moving. For example, if the magnet64 is currently at position B and the actuator 54 is rotated in theclockwise direction, the dual polarity Hall effect sensor 166 ₁ canprovide an indication to the microprocessor 118 that the magnet ismoving away from position B and into position C. This information canthen be used as an input to any operations the microprocessor 118carries out, for example control signals to the LED drivers (not shown)for driving the LEDs according to a particular sequence.

Referring to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, an embodiment of a mechanical rotaryswitch mechanism in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention is disclosed. In this embodiment, a contact elementcomprised of a ring (or half ring) 68 fabricated from an electricallyconductive material such as nickel plated brass, is imbedded in a lowerend 70 of the lens 10. The ring 68 includes a pair of flexibleelectrically interconnected (by the conductive ring 68) conductive tabs72 ₁, 72 ₂ which descend below the lower end 70 of the lens 10 and makecontact with a, series of contact pads 74 etched or otherwise adhered tothe surface of the PCB 102. The lens 10 is attached by clips, anadhesive or otherwise bonded to the actuator 52, therefore as actuator52 rotates, the lens 10 rotates causing the conductive tabs 72 ₁, 72 ₂to move between pairs of conductive pads 74. When the conductive tabs 72₁, 72 ₂ come into contact with a pair of contact pads 74, an electricalcircuit is completed via the ring 68 which is used to power up theelectronics 100 and provide information to the electronics as to thecurrent position of the actuator 52, which then power up and drive theLEDs 6 according to the function selected via the actuator.

Referring to FIG. 9 a, in order to accommodate the alternative switchassembly by providing support for the lens 10 and actuator 52, there isincluded a raised cylindrical support boss 76 on the inside face 62 ofthe housing 4. The support boss 76, which acts like a hub around whichthe actuator 52 rotates, includes an inside facing annular bearingsurface 78 on an inner surface thereof. The bearing surface 78 mateswith a corresponding outside facing annular shoulder 80 on an outsidesurface of the lens 10, thereby holding the lens 10 in place once thelens 10 is snapped over the support boss 76. In order to maintain ahermetic seal between the inside of the lens 10 and the surroundingenvironment, a pair of O-rings 82, 84 are provided for preventing theegress of moisture, sand, salt and the like. The annular ridges 78, 80are kept in contact by the ratchet ring 56/raised tabs 58 assembly whichbiases the actuator 52, and therefore the lens 10, away from the insideface 62 of the housing 4.

Note that in all the above embodiments a time delay of several hundredmilliseconds before the LEDs are illuminated is also typically builtinto the electronics. This allows the user to traverse a number ofintermediate switch settings with activating the device before arrivingat the wished for setting, which is then activated once the switchremains stationary at that position for at least the foreseen timedelay.

Referring now back to FIG. 1, in order to provide access to a number ofalternative enhanced functions, a series of buttons as in 86 ₁, 86 ₂ arearranged around the periphery of the housing 4. By depressing thesebuttons a number of additional functions can be accessed. For example,by activating the device 2 by rotating the switch 14 to an activeposition and depressing button 86 ₁, the intensity of the LEDs 6 can bevaried from low intensity to high intensity. By rotating the switch 14to another setting, the program by which the LEDs 6 are illuminatedwould vary, but the intensity of the LEDs 6 would remain the same.Alternatively, by activating the device 2 by rotating the switch 14 toan active position and depressing button 86 ₂, the device 2 can be movedfrom visual to covert mode where only infrared LEDs are illuminated.Once again, by rotating the switch 14 to another setting, the program bywhich the LEDs are illuminated would vary, but the device 2 would remainin convert mode until button 86 ₂ is once again depressed.Alternatively, by activating the device 2 by rotating the switch 14 toan active position and depressing a third button (not shown), differentcolours of LEDs can be selected for each signalling mode. For example,if the device 2 is made up of three banks of LEDs, one bank emitting redlight, one blue light and one white light, by depressing the thirdbutton the bank which is illuminated according to the program selectedusing switch 14 can be varied. Once again, by rotating the switch 14 toanother setting, the program by which the LEDs are illuminated wouldvary, but colour of light emitted would remain the same until the thirdbutton is once again depressed.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way ofan illustrative embodiment thereof, this embodiment can be modified atwill, within the scope of the present invention, without departing fromthe spirit and nature of the subject of the present invention.

1. A multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device, comprising:an emission module comprising at least one electromagnetic radiationemitting source, a first terminal, a second terminal and a polarityresponsive controller interposed between said electromagnetic radiationemitting sources and said first and second terminals; a DC power sourcecomprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal; and a polarityswitch for selectively defining either interconnections between (a) saidfirst and positive terminals and (b) said second and negative terminals,or interconnections between (a) said first and negative terminals and(b) said second and positive terminals; wherein the polarity responsivecontroller comprises: a first bank of instructions and a second bank ofinstructions, each of said first and second banks comprising at leasttwo predetermined sets of signalling instructions; a switch forselecting a first set of instructions from said sets of instructions insaid first bank and a second set of instructions from said second bank;a first power supply circuit activated by the, interconnections between(a) said first and positive terminals and (b) said second and negativeterminals, and supplying, when activated, power from said DC powersource to said electromagnetic radiation emitting sources according tosaid first set of instructions, thereby causing said sources to emitelectromagnetic radiation according to said first set of instructions;and a second power supply circuit activated by the interconnectionsbetween (a) said first and negative terminals and (b) said second andpositive terminals, and supplying, when activated, power from said DCpower source to said electromagnetic radiation emitting sourcesaccording to said second set of instructions, thereby causing saidsources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to said second setof instructions.
 2. The multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emittingdevice of claim 1, wherein said DC power source is a battery and whereinsaid polarity switch comprises manually reversing said battery to changethe interconnections between the first, second, positive and negativeterminals.
 3. The multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting deviceof claim 2, wherein said battery is selected from the group consistingof A, AA, AAA, C, D, N-Cell, 9V and Lithium.
 4. The multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device of claim 1, wherein at leastone of said electromagnetic radiation emitting sources emitselectromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum.
 5. The multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device of claim 1, wherein at leastone of said electromagnetic radiation emitting sources emitselectromagnetic radiation in the infra-red spectrum.
 6. The multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device of claim 1, comprising atleast two electromagnetic radiation emitting sources wherein at leastone of said electromagnetic radiation emitting sources emitselectromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum and at least one ofsaid electromagnetic radiation emitting sources emits electromagneticradiation in the infra-red spectrum.
 7. The multi-mode electromagneticradiation emitting device of claim 1, wherein said electromagneticradiation emitting sources are selected from the group consisting ofLEDs, lasers, incandescent lights, thermal emitters, xenon strobes andcombinations thereof.
 8. The multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device of claim 1, wherein said switch is a multi-positionswitch comprising n active positions and wherein each of said first bankand said second bank have n predetermined sets of signallinginstructions, one of each of said n predetermined sets corresponding toone of said n active positions.
 9. The multi-mode electromagneticradiation emitting device of claim 8, wherein said switch is amulti-position switch comprising an additional deactivated position andwherein when said switch is in said deactivated position none of saidelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources emit electromagneticradiation.
 10. The multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting deviceof claim 9, wherein said multi-position switch is a bezel mounted rotaryswitch comprising one (1) deactivated position and at least three (3)active positions.
 11. The multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emittingdevice of claim 10, wherein said rotary switch comprises at least seven(7) active positions.
 12. The multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device of claim 8, wherein said switch is a unidirectionalmulti-position rotary switch comprising a deactivated position, at leastone first active positions wherein said electromagnetic radiationemitting sources emit electromagnetic radiation in the infra-redspectrum, and at least one second active positions wherein saidelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources emit electromagneticradiation in the visible spectrum, and wherein when said rotary switchis rotated away from said deactivated position said first activepositions are activated before said second active positions.
 13. Amulti-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device, comprising: anemission module comprising at least one electromagnetic radiationemitting source, a first terminal, a second terminal and a polarityresponsive controller interposed between said electromagnetic radiationemitting sources and said first and second terminals; a DC power sourcecomprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal; and a polarityswitch selectively defining either interconnections between (a) saidfirst and positive terminals and (b) said second and negative terminals,or interconnections between (a) said first and negative terminals and(b) said second and positive terminals; wherein the polarity responsivecontroller comprises: a set of signalling instructions; a power supplycircuit activated by the interconnections between (a) said first andpositive terminals and (b) said second and negative terminals, andsupplying, when activated, power from said DC power source to saidelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources according to said set ofsignalling instructions, thereby causing said sources to emitelectromagnetic radiation according to said set of instructions; and areprogramming circuit activated by the interconnections between (a) saidfirst and negative terminals and (b) said second and positive terminals,and replacing, when activated, said set of signalling instructions witha new set of signalling instructions, thereby reprogramming the device.14. The multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device of claim13, further comprising an external interface and wherein said new set ofsignalling instructions is provided by said external interface.
 15. Themulti-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device of claim 14,wherein said external interface is a physical interface.
 16. Themulti-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device of claim 14,wherein said external interface is an infra-red interface.
 17. Areprogrammable multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device,comprising: an emission module comprising at least one electromagneticradiation emitting source, a first terminal, a second terminal and apolarity responsive controller interposed between said electromagneticradiation emitting sources and said first and second terminals; a DCpower source comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal; anda polarity switch selectively defining either interconnections between(a) said first and positive terminals and (b) said second and negativeterminals, or interconnections between (a) said first and negativeterminals and (b) said second and positive terminals; wherein thepolarity responsive controller comprises: an instruction bank comprisinga plurality of sets of signalling instructions; a switch for selecting aset of instructions from said sets of instructions; a power supplycircuit activated by the interconnections between (a) said first andpositive terminals and (b) said second and negative terminals, andsupplying, when activated, power from said DC power source to saidelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources according to said selectedset of instructions, thereby causing said sources to emitelectromagnetic radiation according to said set of instructions; and areprogramming circuit activated by the interconnections between (a) saidfirst and negative terminals and (b) said second and positive terminals,and replacing, when activated, said selected set of signallinginstructions with a new set of signalling instructions, therebyreprogramming the device.
 18. The reprogrammable multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device as in claim 17, wherein saidreprogramming circuit, when activated, replaces said selected set ofinstructions with said new set of instructions.
 19. The reprogrammablemulti-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device as in claim 17,wherein said instruction bank comprises a memory within which said atleast two sets of signalling instructions are stored.
 20. Thereprogrammable multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device asin claim 19, wherein said reprogramming circuit, when activated,overwrites said selected set of instructions with said new set ofinstructions.
 21. A reprogrammable multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device, comprising: an emission module comprising at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source, a first terminal, a secondterminal and a polarity responsive controller interposed between saidelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources and said first and secondterminals; a DC power source comprising a positive terminal and anegative terminal; and a polarity switch selectively defining eitherinterconnections between (a) said first and positive terminals and (b)said second and negative terminals, or interconnections between (a) saidfirst and negative terminals and (b) said second and positive terminals;wherein the polarity responsive controller comprises: a plurality ofinstruction banks, each of said default banks comprising at least oneset of signalling instructions an active instruction bank comprising atleast two sets of signalling instructions; a switch for selecting one ofsaid sets of instructions of said active instruction bank and forselecting one of said default banks; a power supply circuit activated bythe interconnections between (a) said first and positive terminals and(b) said second and negative terminals, and supplying, when activated,power from said DC power source to said electromagnetic radiationemitting sources according to said selected set of instructions, therebycausing said sources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to saidset of instructions; and a reprogramming circuit activated by theinterconnections between (a) said first and negative terminals and (b)said second and positive terminals, and replacing, when activated, saidactive instruction bank with said selected default bank, therebyreprogramming the device.
 22. The reprogrammable multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device as in claim 21, wherein saidactive instruction bank comprises a memory within which said sets ofsignalling instructions are stored.
 23. The reprogrammable multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device as in claim 21, wherein saiddefault instruction banks each comprise a memory within which said setsof signalling instructions are stored.
 24. The reprogrammable multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device as in claim 22, wherein saidreprogramming circuit, when activated, overwrites the memory locationoccupied by said active instruction bank with said selected defaultbank.
 25. The reprogrammable multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device as in claim 22 or 23, wherein said memory is anon-volatile memory.
 26. The reprogrammable multi-mode electromagneticradiation emitting device as in claim 23, wherein said memory is aEEPROM.
 27. The reprogrammable multi-mode electromagnetic radiationemitting device as in claim 26, wherein said memory is selected from thegroup consisting of PLA and FPGA.
 28. A night activated multi-modeelectromagnetic radiation emitting device, comprising: an emissionmodule comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation emittingsource, a first terminal, a second terminal and a polarity responsivecontroller interposed between said electromagnetic radiation emittingsources and said first and second terminals; a DC power sourcecomprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a polarityswitch selectively defining either interconnections between (a) saidfirst and positive terminals and (b) said second and negative terminals,or interconnections between (a) said first and negative terminals and(b) said second and positive terminals; and an ambient light sensor;wherein the polarity responsive controller comprises: a set ofsignalling instructions; a first power supply circuit activated by theinterconnections between (a) said first and positive terminals and (b)said second and negative terminals, and supplying, when activated, powerfrom said DC power source to said electromagnetic radiation emittingsources according to said set of signalling instructions, therebycausing said sources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to saidset of instructions; and a second power supply circuit activated whenlight incident on said light sensor is below a predetermined thresholdand the interconnections between (a) said first and negative terminalsand (b) said second and positive terminals, and supplying, whenactivated, power from said DC power source to said electromagneticradiation emitting sources according to said set of signallinginstructions, thereby causing said sources to emit electromagneticradiation according to said set of instructions.
 29. The night activatedmulti-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device of claim 28,wherein said light sensor comprises a photodiode.
 30. A water activatedmulti-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device, comprising: anemission module comprising at least one electromagnetic radiationemitting source, a first terminal, a second terminal and a polarityresponsive controller interposed between said electromagnetic radiationemitting sources and said first and second terminals; a DC power sourcecomprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a polarityswitch selectively defining either interconnections between (a) saidfirst and positive terminals and (b) said second and negative terminals,or interconnections between (a) said first and negative terminals and(b) said second and positive terminals; and a water sensor; wherein thepolarity responsive controller comprises: a set of signallinginstructions; a first power supply circuit activated by theinterconnections between (a) said first and positive terminals and (b)said second and negative terminals, and supplying, when activated, powerfrom said DC power source to said electromagnetic radiation emittingsources according to said set of signalling instructions, therebycausing said sources to emit electromagnetic radiation according to saidset of instructions; and a second power supply circuit activated whensaid water sensor is immersed in water and the interconnections between(a) said first and negative terminals and (b) said second and positiveterminals, and supplying, when activated, power from said DC powersource to said electromagnetic radiation emitting sources according tosaid set of signalling instructions, thereby causing said sources toemit electromagnetic radiation according to said set of instructions.31. A switch mechanism for providing selectable switched circuitconnections, comprising: a first part and a second part arranged forrelative displacement; a plurality of spaced contact pads mounted onsaid first part; and at least one contact element mounted on said secondpart such that said element moves relative to said contact pads inresponse to movement of said second part relative to said first part,said contact element selectively bridging certain of said contact pads.32. The switch mechanism of claim 31, wherein said first part includes asupport boss, said second part includes an actuator comprising a firstdepending portion, one of said support boss and said actuator comprisinga bearing surface and the other comprising a shoulder mounted thereinfor engaging said bearing surface; and further comprising a spring forbiasing said shoulder against said bearing surface.
 33. The switchmechanism of claim 32; wherein at least one of said bearing surface andsaid shoulder is fabricated from a slightly flexible material and saidsecond part is mounted on said first part by snapping said shoulder oversaid bearing surface.
 34. The switch mechanism of claim 32, wherein saidbearing surface is on said support boss and said shoulder is mounted onsaid actuator.
 35. The switch mechanism of claim 32, wherein saidsupport boss defines a compartment comprising an opening opposite to aclosed bottom.
 36. The switch mechanism of claim 35, wherein saidcontact pads are disposed on said closed bottom of said compartment. 37.The switch mechanism of claim 36, wherein said bearing surface is on anouter surface of said support boss, wherein said first depending portiondefines an opening dimensioned to accept said support boss, and whereinsaid shoulder is mounted on an inside surface of said first dependingportion.
 38. The switch mechanism of claim 37, wherein said bearingsurface and said first depending portion are both substantiallycylindrical.
 39. The switch mechanism of claim 35, wherein said bearingsurface is mounted on an inside surface of said support boss inside saidcompartment, said shoulder is mounted on an outside surface of saidfirst depending portion, said shoulder and first depending portion aredimensioned to fit into said compartment, said first depending portiondefining an opening at a first end thereof, and wherein said contactelement is mounted to said first depending portion.
 40. The switchmechanism of claim 39, wherein said bearing surface and said firstdepending portion are both substantially cylindrical and wherein saidsupport boss acts as a hub about which said actuator rotates.
 41. Theswitch mechanism of claim 40, wherein said second part further includesa lens through which said opening of said first depending portion is atleast partially visible.
 42. The switch mechanism of claim 41, whereinsaid lens cap is transparent.
 43. The switch mechanism of claim 41,wherein said lens cap is translucent.
 44. The switch mechanism of claim41, wherein said compartment has a substantially cylindrical innersurface and said actuator, said outer surface and said inner surface areaxially aligned, said actuator comprising an axially centred annularlens receiving aperture therein for accepting said lens, and said secondpart further includes a second substantially cylindrical axially aligneddepending portion, said second depending portion dimensioned to fitabout said support boss.
 45. The switch mechanism of claim 38, furthercomprising a water tight seal between said first depending portion andsaid inner surface.
 46. The switch mechanism of claim 45, wherein saidseal includes at least one O-ring between said first depending portionand said inner surface.
 47. The switch mechanism of claim 44, furthercomprising a water tight seal between said second depending portion andan outer surface of said support boss.
 48. The switch mechanism of claim47, wherein said seal includes at least one O-ring between said seconddepending portion and an outer surface of said support boss.
 49. Theswitch mechanism of claim 40, wherein said contact element is comprisedof a conductive ring and wherein at least two spaced conductive tabsdepend from said conductive ring for selective contact with certain ofsaid contact pads.
 50. The switch mechanism of claim 40, wherein saidfirst part further includes a body part on which said support boss ismounted, the opening defined by said first depending portion is annularand said spring is comprised of an annular ring mounted to said firstdepending portion around said annular opening, said ring comprising aplurality of spaced flexible tabs depending below said first dependingportion and in contact with said body part.
 51. The switch mechanism ofclaim 50, further comprising a ratchet mechanism for limitingdisplacement of the first part relative to the second part topredetermined positions.
 52. The switch mechanism of claim 51, whereinsaid predetermined positions are indicated by a tactile feedback. 53.The switch mechanism of claim 51, further comprising a transducer forgenerating an audio signal and wherein said predetermined positions areindicated by an audio signal.
 54. The switch mechanism of claim 53,wherein said transducer is a piezo electric membrane.
 55. The switchmechanism of claim 53, wherein said audio signal is a click.
 56. Theswitch mechanism of claim 51, wherein said ratchet mechanism comprisesat least one depression in said body part, said at least one depressionaligned with a path of travel of said flexible tabs, whereby when saidfirst part is displaced relative to said second part, said flexible tabsare inserted successively in said at least one depression.
 57. A switchmechanism for providing selectable switched circuit connections,comprising: a first part and a second part arranged for relativedisplacement; a plurality of spaced magnetically actuated switchesmounted on said first part; and a magnet mounted on said second partsuch that said magnet moves relative to said switches in response tomovement of said second part relative to said first part, said magnetselectively actuating certain of said switches.
 58. The switch mechanismof claim 57, wherein said first part includes a substantiallycylindrical support boss defining a compartment comprising an openingopposite to a closed bottom, said second part includes an actuator ringadapted to fit over said support boss, said support boss furthercomprising a lens cap covering said opening and adapted to retain saidactuator ring on said support boss.
 59. The switch mechanism of claim58, wherein said lens cap is secured to said support boss and furthercomprising a spring for biasing said actuator ring against said lenscap.
 60. The switch mechanism of claim 58, wherein said lens cap istranslucent.
 61. The switch mechanism of claim 58, wherein said lens capis transparent.
 62. The switch mechanism of claim 58, wherein said firstpart further includes a hollow body part on to which said support bossis mounted.
 63. The switch mechanism of claim 58, wherein said actuatorring is annular.
 64. The switch mechanism of claim 62, wherein saidmagnet is mounted in said actuator ring and said switches aredistributed around said support boss within said hollow body part. 65.The switch mechanism of claim 57, wherein said spring is comprised of aplurality of spaced flexible tabs mounted to said actuator ring and incontact with said first part.
 66. The switch mechanism of claim 65,wherein said spring further comprises an annular ring mounted to saidactuator ring and wherein said plurality of spaced flexible tabs aremounted to said annular ring.
 67. The switch mechanism of claim 66,wherein said annular ring and said flexible tabs are fabricated from asingle piece of material.
 68. The switch mechanism of claim 67, whereinsaid annular ring is fabricated from spring steel and said flexible tabsare punched in said annular ring.
 69. The switch mechanism of claim 59,wherein said spring is at least partially disposed in a region betweensaid first part and said second part.
 70. The switch mechanism of claim68, wherein an aperture is machined in said annular ring in the regionof said magnet to allow its magnetic field to propagate through theannular ring.
 71. The switch mechanism of claim 57, further comprising aratchet mechanism for limiting the displacement of the first partrelative to the second part to predetermined positions.
 72. The switchmechanism of claim 71, wherein said predetermined positions areindicated by a tactile feedback.
 73. The switch mechanism of claim 71,further comprising a transducer and wherein said predetermined positionsare indicated by an audio signal.
 74. The switch mechanism of claim 73,wherein said transducer is a piezo-electric membrane.
 75. The switchmechanism of claim 74, wherein said audio signal is a click.
 76. Theswitch mechanism of claim 71, wherein said ratchet mechanism comprisesat least one depression in said hollow body part, said at least onedepression aligned with a path of travel of said flexible tabs, wherebywhen said first part is displaced relative to said second part, saidflexible tabs are inserted successively in said at least one depression.77. The switch mechanism of claim 57, wherein at least one of saidswitches is a normally closed read switch.
 78. The switch mechanism ofclaim 57, wherein said switches are selected from a group consisting ofread switches and hall effect sensors or combinations thereof.
 79. Theswitch mechanism of claim 57, wherein at least one of said switches iscomprised of at least two normally open read switches.
 80. The switchmechanism of claim 57, wherein at least one of said switches is anormally closed read switch, one of said switches is a normally openread switch and the remaining switches are each comprised of at leasttwo normally open read switches.
 81. A multi-mode electromagneticradiation emitting device tolerant to external magnetic fields,comprising: a source of power; an emission module comprising at leastone electromagnetic radiation emitting source; a switch mechanism forproviding selectable switched circuit connections, comprising: a firstpart and a second part arranged for relative displacement; a ratchetmechanism for limiting the displacement of the first part relative tothe second part to predetermined positions, at least one of saidpredetermined positions being a deactivated position, the remainderbeing activated positions; a plurality of spaced magnetically actuatedswitches mounted on said first part; and a magnet mounted on said secondpart such that said magnet moves relative to said switches in responseto movement of said second part relative to said first part, said magnetselectively actuating certain of said switches; wherein when said firstpart is in one of said deactivated positions, and one or more of saidmagnetically actuated switches are actuated by the external magneticfield, power from said power source is not provided to said at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source, thereby preventing said atleast one radiation emitting source from emitting radiation.
 82. Theswitch mechanism of claim 81, wherein said emission module furthercomprises an electronic assembly for selectively providing power fromsaid power source to said at least one electromagnetic radiationemitting source.
 83. The switch mechanism of claim 82, wherein when saidfirst part is in said deactivated position, said magnet actuates anormally closed read switch interconnecting said power source and saidelectronics, thereby preventing power from reaching said electronics.84. The switch mechanism of claim 81, wherein said switches are selectedfrom a group consisting of read switches and hall effect sensors orcombinations thereof.
 85. A power supply for supplying DC power to anelectronic circuit comprising at least one microcontroller, the supplycomprising: a DC power source comprising a positive terminal and anegative terminal; a power conversion circuit comprising first andsecond terminals and a power output for supplying power to theelectronic circuit; and a polarity switch selectively defining eitherinterconnections between (a) said first and positive terminals and (b)said second and negative terminals, or interconnections between (a) saidfirst and negative terminals and (b) said second and positive terminals;wherein when the power conversion circuit is activated by theinterconnections between (a) said first and positive terminals and (b)said second and negative terminals, a positive power from said DC powersource is supplied to the electronic circuit together with an indicationto the microcontroller of the positive polarity of the voltage betweensaid first and second terminals; and when the power conversion circuitis activated by the interconnections between (a) said first and negativeterminals and (b) said second and positive terminals, a positive powerfrom said DC power source is supplied to the electronic circuit togetherwith an indication to the microcontroller of the negative polarity ofthe voltage between said first and second terminals.
 86. The powersupply of claim 85, wherein said power conversion circuit comprises adiode bridge.
 87. The power supply of claim 86, wherein said powerconversion circuit comprises a DC to DC converter.
 88. The power supplyof claim 85, wherein said power conversion circuit comprises a chargepump.
 89. The power supply of claim 85, wherein said power conversioncircuit comprises a voltage booster.
 90. The power supply of claim 85,wherein said power conversion circuit comprises a staged voltagemultiplier circuit.
 91. The power supply of claim 85, wherein said DCpower source is a battery and wherein said polarity switch comprisesmanually reversing said battery to change the interconnections betweenthe first, second, positive and negative terminals.
 92. The power supplyof claim 91 wherein said battery is selected from the group consistingof A, AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, N-Cell and Lithium.